Hotch threw Cass a look, again. She was a brisk, but safe driver.
"I admire you," Hotch said abruptly.
"Me? Why is that?"
"Because you don´t give up on Nora. Not many people would take care, like you do."
Cass turned red, "she's my friend, Hotch. She has no familiy left, she´s all alone. I´m doing the best I can, but I´m the only one. Joe didn´t show up here, he´s her friend, too. My regular visits? I always hope that she will notice at least something. We don´t know, what´s going on with people in a coma, Hotch. What if she hears everything and just can´t answer? I am reading the new Dan Brown to her right now, and last week we watched 'Silver Linings' on DVD. You think, that´s silly?" Cass asked Hotch shook his head.
"No, I don´t. I admire your compassion, as I said. But Joe is right, don´t you forget about your own life, Cass."
She snorted. "Did you do some strange brotherhood thing with Joe when I changed my clothes?"
Hotch chuckled, "You can be quite prickly, right?"

Cass grinned briefly. "You can´t teach an old dog new tricks. I'm not just used to having to justify my decisions, that's all. I would be a challenge for a potential partner."
"Challenges don´t have to be bad," noted Hotch and noticed in surprise, that he was flirting.
"Thin ice, Hotch." Cass put her Pick Up in the parking lot of the Holy Spirit Hospice.

oOo

Hotch looked around, the Hospice made a nice impression, if one could say this about an institution like this.
Glendale was a small suburb of Bangor, with a population of 8573, like the sign confirmed. A peaceful spot to retire, Hotch thought. Unfortunately, he knew better than anyone else, how idylls like this can be deceiving.

Cass and Hotch entered the building and Hotch found his impression confirmed. Given the circumstances, the staff here apparently made some efforts, to ensure a somewhat 'normal' atmosphere.
Verdure dominated the entrance hall and the reception counter. There was a plush sofa and cheerful pictures on the wall, all that gave the hospice a very friendly look, Hotch thought. He had seen very different asylums.

"Hi Cassie," Cass was welcomed by the on-duty nurse. "You got company, today?"
Cass nodded. "Hi, Calvin. A ... um ... friend from the past." She was not sure if she should introduce Hotch as an agent, they had not talked about it.
"A friend from the FBI," Hotch added. It would get around anyway, that he was in town. Some would perhaps even remember him.

"FBI? Wow, man. You are the first federal Agent, I´ve ever met. But you don´t wear a suit and there´s no gun." Calvin almost sounded a little disappointed.
Cass nudged him playfully, "not every Agent looks like Fox Mulder. We're here to see Nora, of course."
"Sure. She was a bit uneasy, the last few nights, Cassie."
"Uneasy?" Hotch repeated.
"Yes, sir," confirmed the caregiver. Cass spontaneously grabbed Hotch's hand. "She´s waking up, you think?" Cass whispered hopefully.
Calvin shook his head. "Yesterday and the day before yesterday, an alarm had gone off. Doc Baxter has made a few tests, but he found no change in her condition. Probably a malfunction."
Hotch pressed Cass hands when he noticed her disappointment. "Don´t give up hope," he whispered softly.
"You think, Dr. Baxter will probably allow me to take a look at the medical records?" Hotch asked Calvin.

Calvin shrugged, "Baxter is a bit peculiar, if I may say so. But no risk, no fun. He´s in the common room. Down the aisle and... but Cass already knows where to go."

oOo

A few minutes later Hotch and Cass entered the common room. Hotch counted 15 people. They sat in wheelchairs or in groups at tables where they painted, or put puzzles together.
Baxter was talking to a nurse, but noticed the guests immediately.
He came over to Cass and Hotch. "Cassidy, nice to see you. Who is your guest, today?" He held out his hand.
"Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner," he introduced himself, and Baxter's expression darkened.
"FBI? You came here for Nora Brewster? I don´t think she will be that helpful. And I thought I had made myself clear, Cassidy."
"Agent Hotchner's just paying a visit, Dr. Baxter." Cass said firmly.
Hotch had the feeling, this wasn´t the first discussion about that issue, Cass and Baxter had.

"And since I'm already here, Dr. Baxter, I wonder if you would let us take a look at Nora's medical records." Hotch asked bluntly.
"At her medical report? Have you ever heard of medical confidentiality, Agent? On what purpose?"
"No purpose." Hotch said. "I just thought it would be in your sense, when this cruel crime was cleared up. Or am I wrong here?" Hotch stared at Baxter.
Cass watched in fascination as Baxter was struck down by Hotch´s look and the moral club.
"Um ... of course. I'll send you a copy."
"Great, e-mail will do, Doctor." Hotch handed the overpowered Baxter his business card.
Baxter left the room wordlessly.

Cass grinned briefly. "I take my hat off, Hotch. I've never seen Baxter like this before."
"Many years of practical experience," Hotch said and pulled out his cell phone.

oOo

"Hey, Hotch," Reid said cheerfully. "How are things going in Maine?"
"He has to eat some lobster," Morgan interjected.
"I will," Hotch said at the other end. "Reid, I´m gonna send a medical record, later. I want you to look at it, carefully. I am particularly interested in the last few days."
"The records belong to Nora Brewster, I suppose. Will do. Is there any new evidence?"
"No, I´m fishing in troubled waters and shaking a few trees."
"And see, what falls off," Reid concluded. "Send it to me and I'll take a look at it. Oh and everyone is saying hello. Bye, Boss."

"And? What's new?" Derek asked, sounding interested.
"Hotch´s shaking a few trees," Reid said and Morgan grinned.
"I´m just imagining it. There are indeed plenty of opportunities up there in Maine. Lots of trees. This Cassidy Munroe ... is she pretty, actually?"
Spencer gave Derek a slap, "we are talking about Hotch, not about you, ladykiller. Hotch is focussed on the case, nothing else."
Morgan grinned again. "Well, from your lips to God's ears."